Collapsible heat-insulated container



Nov. 20, 1951 N. a. SEAMAN 2,575,893

COLLAPSIBLE, HEAT-INSULATED CONTAINER Filed Nov. 14, 1949 I5 Sheets-Sheet l awe/1M NORMAN R. SEAMAN ATTOR N EYS Nov. 20, 1951 N. R. SEAMAN COLLAPSIBLE, HEAT-INSULATED CONTAINER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 14, 1949 IN VEN TOR.

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Nov. 20, 1951 N. R. SEAMAN- COLLAPSIBLE, HEAT-INSULATED CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 14, 1949 FIG. I9 56 53 INVENTOR. NORMAN R. SEAMAN BY j ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GOLL APSIBL'E HEAT-INSULATED CONTAINER ,Norman R. Seaman, Canal FultomOhio Application November 14, 1949, Serial No. 127,067

This invention relates to a heat-insulated container and, in particular, to a container which is collapsible, can be carried about,.and is adapted to a variety of purposes. Insulated, carrying containers are well knownin the art-but, forthe most part, these have been rigid in form, .unwieldy, susceptibleto damage, and ill-adaptedifor storing during periods of non-use. :Inthe carrying of insulated containers in vehicles, for whatever purpose, it is a great conveniencerto be able to reduce "them-to small volume when empty, especially when it is desired to-keep them in the vehicle at all times.

, According to the present invention, Iha-ve produced a heat-insulated container which issufiicientlyrigid as to be self-sustaining in open condition during periods of service and yet is readily collapsible to a condition of minimum volume. Articles of thisgeneral nature are particularly useful to sportsmen, picnickers and sports spectators, and, for users in this category, the container in collapsedconditionis adapted for use as a cushion.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide aheat-insulated container which is collapsible. Another object is to' provide a heatinsulated container having flexible walls ,with sufficient rigidity to stand alone but which yield to manual pressure to collapse to a condition of minimum volume. Still another objectisto providesuch containers with carryingmeans which are adapted also to maintain the container in collapsed condition. Other and related objects are to providea collapsible,heat-insulated container ofsimple, yet rugged, construction and which shall have a liquid-proof interior surface; to provide a heat-insulatin container which shall have flexible side walls so as to be collapsible, but in which the end walls are relatively rigid; and further toprovide a heat-insulating container of collapsible structure which is simple and economical to fabricate, light in weight, and resistant to breakage.

These and other ends, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, are attained by the invention, certain embodiments of which are described in the accompanying specification and illustrated in the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of container, in collapsed condition, and secured in this condition by the bail strap,

Fig. 2 is abottom plan. view of the container of Fig- 1,

F g. s a v ew imi t F g- =w1 th thec rt 8 Claims. (01. 150-24 2 mm ani ns w n i ro n ne $309 1?- line of the container iin erectedposition,

Ei plan view-p zthe' la 9 thes walls of the container,

Figs 5 =1 is ;a vie W, in; Perspective of ,the blanlq of Fig.4,enlarged, as.ro1led into tubular form and stitched,

:Eig. Saris arview similarffig. :5.1showing;a further stitching operation, 1

Fig. '7 is a sideelevation-of the tube of Eig fi, showing the addition of an end discclosure,

Fig. 8 is a view similanto Fig. showing the tube turned insideout.

Fig. 19: is anenlargededetailofi a,bottom corner oil-a container-similar-to that. of 'Eigafi, showing a preferrediorm ofsheet material, i

Fig. 10 is a view .similaritcs Fig. .:8 showing the insertion, of a wire ring into the tube .and. lodged atthe periphery of thelclosediend thereof,

Fig. i 11 is a. fragmentaryiview. of the closedend of the-tube of 1 Fig. i 10. showing a stitchingoperation which secures the wire ring in place, i

Fig. 12 is afragmentary view. of .the:bottom.-of Fig. 10 showingthezinsertion of .abottompheats insulating disc,

Fig. 13 is a view similar to :Fig. 10 showing the insertion ofan upright, heat-insulating lining and a second 'wireri-ng at an intermediate position in the tube, 1 1

Fig. 14 is an axial sectional view of-theupper portion of the tube of Fig. 13,,showing the addition of a second end'closure,

Fig. 15 is -an axial section ofthe tubeshewn partly in v Fig.- l4,-with the uppenhalf 0f -the-tube turned inwardly upon the heat-insulating linings,

Fig. 16 1s a view of the upperportion of the centainer of i howie l ubst uen t t ing details,

' Fi san ex lo e view. ine evatic par l broken away, showing the completed containei', its coverand bail,

Fig. l3 is a view similar to Fi lshowing a modified container,

Fig. 19 isanaxialsection, partly in elevation of the containeroffFig. l8,in extended condi-r tion, and V Eig, -20 V is .an 7 enlarged,.iragmentaryviewof ;.a de a of the con ner-m l i 1.

Referring to the drawings .bychara t ers of reference, there is shown, in,Fig l'l a container comprising a main body portion I and a cover 2. The containeris cylindrical in form, asfshown. n t -side.-we ss omp i a cute l y r-. nd an nne l ye 4 w aleen B ,e ih e nei w ins mater alrtetve i. 9' .ll aler vt; a!

comprise any suitable material having a low thermal conductivity, but it is preferred to use a fibrous silicate substance known in the trade as Fiberglas, which contributes to the collapse of the container through its pliability. The layers 3, 4, as will be described, may be formed from a single sheet of material, which material should be both pliable and impermeable to liquids. These layers, or coverings, will comprise a synthetic plastic film material, such as a vinyl plastic, or sheeting of natural rubber.

However, it is preferred to use a vinyl-coated fabric or a rub-" her-coated fabric. This is illustrated in Fig. 9, where the outer layer, shown as a whole by the numeral 3', comprises an outer layer 3a and an inner layer 31) of vinyl plastic, between which is embedded an intermediate'layer 3c of fabric.

4 auxiliary strap I8 since there are no concentrated stresses in that region of the opener.

The cover 2 has a disc-form top with outer layer 26 and inner layer 21 containing between them a heat-insulating pad 28, the materials being similar to that of -liners 3, 4 and insert 6, respectively. Similarly, the depending skirt portion of the cover has an outer layer 3|, inner layer 32, and insulating layer 33. The latter is relatively thin, since the container body is sufficiently insulated in the region where the skirt fits. The collapse of the body portion I is illustrated in Fig. 3, wherein the full lines show the container (minus the cap) in collapsed condition Whatever the constitution of the layers 3,v 4, the V V manner of sealing ofi of lines of jointure against 1 liquids will be suited to the particular material employed. A pair of grommets 5 are provided in outer layer 3 to vent the space occupied by liner 6 when the container is collapsed or opened.

(See Fig. '7.) I

The bottom of the container comprises an outer layer 1 and an inner layer 8 of disc form, suitably joined to the respective cylindrical layers 3, 4,;in a manner to be presently explained, and which preferably comprise the same material as layers 3, 4. The composition of layer 1 in Fig. 9 is similar to that of composite layer'3 in the same figure. A disc-form layer 9 of Fiberglas is contained between layers I and 8.

The base of the'container is maintained in circular form by means of a wire ring I 0 contained within a fold in the outer layer 3 of the side wall at the bottom thereof. Rigidity over the extent of the bottom member and support for enclosed articles are afforded by an inserted disc 'I I which may be of .a hard, pressed material such as Masonite, or any convenient substance. The upper rim or mouthof the body member I is maintained in'circularformby means of a wire ring 12 contained betweenlayers 3 and 4, and the layer 6 is maintained in position within the body portion I by aperipheral line of stitching as at I3. For a purpose later to be explained, the rings I0 and I2 will have a diameter somewhat in excess of that of the outer diameter of body cylinder I.

"A carrying strap I 4 may consist of any suitable material, such as leather, canvas, woven cloth, etc., or may be fabricated from thesame material as sections 3, 4. It is desirable, however, that the strap be sufficiently flexible as to be adapted for carrying the container or locking it in collapsed condition, as will be described hereinafter. The strap I4 is secured as by stitching to a pair of rings I6 hingedly carried in anchoring straps I1 secured to the upper part of body portion I at diametrically opposite positions. An auxiliary strap element [8 is secured to strap I4 near one end thereof and is looped, at its outer end, through the eye I9 of a bottle opener of generally conventional form. The handle portion of the bottle opener is split, as at 20, to provide a hook element 2| on the cross piece of the base which is engageable through strap I4 as looped and passed around the bottom of the container. The bottle opener is preferably square in cross section so that the shoul- 'considerablebulk, the collapse is most efiiciently accomplished by a combination of collapse in an axial direction and a certain degree of torsion, as indicated respectively by arrows a and b in Fig. 3. The smooth wall of the container thus assumes a series of folds generally helical in form, and a minimum of resistance is encountered in the collapse, and ready retention of the depressed condition results. Furthermore, after one such collapse, the wall is more or less trained.to a given set of folds, and the ease of collapse is still further enhanced.

I have further found that if the reinforcing rings in the end faces are made of slightly larger diameter than that of the container body I, the spiral mode of collapse isaccomplished with even greater facility.

Collapse is best accomplished with the cover removed and is aided by venting through the grommets 5. Aftercollapse, the cover is placed over the foreshort'ened container body. Preferably the skirt or flange of the cover will be of a width comparable to the depth of the container in fully collapsed condition, so that all folds in the latter will be enclose'd'by the skirt.

Locking of the container in its collapsed state is effected by the auxiliary strap portion I8 and the hook 2| of the bottle opener held thereon. As seen in Fig. 2, the portion I8 is turned downwardly and across the bottom I and the hook 2| is engaged in strap k4,which is drawn taut across the top, with the excess carried in a double fold downwardly and across the bottom I to receive the hook 2I. The taut condition of strap I4 across the top is apparent in Fig. l.

- The fabrication of the preferred form shown in Fig. 17 commences with the blank shown in Fig. 4, which comprises a rectangular sheet of material, the two end regions of which, indicated by 3 and 4, are intended to form layers 3 and 4. The region 3 of the blank is perforated to receive grommets 5, and straps IT with rings I6 are stitched to the sheet or otherwise suitably secured. The sheet is then brought into tubular form, as shown in Fig. 5, by joining the edges36, 31, and-securing as by stitching 38. At this stage the rings I6'are on the inside of the tube. In the next step, shown in Fig. 6, the adjoined edges 36 and 31 are turned down as a unit and stitched to the tube as'at 39. Next a bottom closure disc I is sewed to one end of the tube, as at 4| (Fig. '7), and the tube is turned inside out, with the result shown in Fig. 8 with the rim of layer 3 now folded inwardly, together with the peripheral edge of disc 1. Next, the ring I0 is inserted within the tube and into the end fold of layer 3, as shown in Fig. 10, and thereafter the layer 3 is stitched to the bottom! as shown in Fig. 11-, .to contain the ring Ill. The bottom-disc 9 of heatattach:

irradiating material "is then insertedin the nontainer (Fig. 12), following which the tube-form sidewall insulating "pad 6 is "inserted (-Fig. 13), and ring 42 insertedal'kthetop of pad dwhere it may be temporarily secured as by wads of adhe- 'sive 42. The upper layer =8-o'f the bottom is then secured in the upper end of the tube by stitching 13, as shown in Fig. 14. Preferably, this joint will covered with a suitable-cement for liquidproofing, inasmuch as it occurs in the inn-erliner where melted ice or other liquid will collect. Waterproofing of the joint at stitching 38,39 (FigsandB) is also desiraible for thesame rcason, "at least in the portion! (upper part in Fig. "13). v

In Fig. 15 the portion 4 is shown turned inwar'dly of the containerto form the inner liner and, in Fig. '16, stitches 44 are {shown assecuring ring l2 and stitches 46 as s'ecurin'gthe "upper end of insulator 6 tolayers t and- 4 lac-maintain its' po'sition to these layers. 'Thepl'ate i I \may then be placed in the bottom, the strap I l-stitched to rings [6, and the container section l is-complete. The straps l4, f8 ma-y be at'ta'ched 'at any convenient stage'of the process.

The waterproofing inthe zone of stitches 43 is considerably facilitated if the free edges of the attached sheets are located on thatfside of the inner'lineadjacent theinsulation. Therefore, in the modificationof Fig. I? it is contemplatedto make the inner liner, "comprising "sheets 4 and 8; separately .f-romthe ou'ter liner, comprising sheets 3 and 1. Fabrication, this case, involves the 'same'trealtmentofshe'etsd and 1,'ringll, insulation elements B- and 9, and ring 12, set forth above. However,sheets 4 and 8 will be joined together as a separate unit, and insertedwithin linert'without being turned inside out. This insertion of the inner liner without reversal and,

of -course, a-line ofstitching above'ring ['2 to conwhich is comparatively easily filled'with cement,

in c'ontrast to the problem of cementingthe protruding-free ends of sheets; Not only this dif iic'u'l-t of accomplishment in the first instance, but the cemented sheets are exposed to fiexing' by contact with articles in the container, and the seal thus subject to deterioration.

In'ithe construdtionof cover 2, insulating layer 33 is inserted between bands 3| and 32, and the latter stitched together above and below the insulation to form a unitary skirt portion. .Likewise, insulating disc 28 is enclosed between discs 26 and 21, which latter are stitched together on a line outside'the'periphery of th e'insulating disc. In this unit the peripheries of the discs 26Iand 2 exte'nd -somewhat beyond the line of stitching and the upper portions of skirt layers 3l, 13'2ialso e'xtend-somewhat abovetheirzupper line of stitching. The e'xtensionsof .each unit are=gathered together. 1 and their free edgesfi covered with a head 41, lwhichis .securedrby 'stitching.= i n ig'ene'ral, .no liquid-proofing is :required in the joints of the cover, butsuch may be provided if desired.

In use, the containeris brought into erect position, in which positionsithas a tendencyto'remain. Bottled goods-or-other items may'then be inserted on the rigid bottom I I. If it is desired to maintain the goods at low temperature, ice may be placed in the container in intimate contact with the goods or otherwise. The liquid-proofing of the interior wall will prevent melted ice or liq- 1nd fromany source from gaining the insulation interior ly of the walls. When the cover is putlin place the isolation of' the :interior is accomplished and the container may then be transportedmanuallyby meansof the strap or merely left inplac'e, in which case it maintains its erect conditioniin a satisfactory manner since the wall construction is self-sustainingas to its ownzweight and that 'of the cover. Dispensing is easily accomplished, due to :the simply removable and replaceable cover, and the insulating ch'aracteristics are no less efiicient'than those of the conventional rigid containers.

It will be understood, of course, that the Icontainer is capable of keeping substances warm as well as cold and, if necessary or desirable, hot water may be placed in the interior to this end. In this regard, the container is particularly useful for the carrying of babies milk b'ottl'es, :the relatively light weightand soft, pliable stexture being especially noteworthy in an article to she handled by women.

When not in use for carrying purposes, the pouch iseasily collapsed, as in Fig. 3, and secured, as in Figs. 1 and 2, to present a'very muchreduced volume and consequently :easy storage, or to serve as a cushion forthe user. i

In the modification shown in Figs. IE to 20 there is shown a container of the samegeneral type as in the foregoing description but which has an integral cover, access being had by'means of a diametral slit in the top :face. Inner and outer sheets 48, 49 of the sidewall, stitched into tubular form from rectangular sheets, contain insulating pad 5|, and inner andouter disc-:form sheets 52, 53 in the base containa disc 54 'ofinsulating material and .a rigid, bracing disc 56. The top closure is divided into two halves. .One half comprises inner and outer sheets 51, -;5B, containing a partial disc '59 of insulating material, and the other half comprises inner and outer sheets 6|, 62 containing a partial disc insulator 53. The fabric securing strips 64, 66 of a diametrallylocated slide-fastener 67 are stitchedat 68, 69 to folds on the inner edges of sheets 58, 62 and folds on the inner edges of sheets 5'l, 6l. .The latter are somewhat extensive so as to overlap :and are lined to'thermally insulate the "re gion under the slide-fastener. At the bottom of the container, a bead 7| surrounds the terminal edges ofsheets 48, 49, 52 and 53 and .is stitched through all four sheets. Similarly, at the top of the container, a head 12 surrounds the :edges of the .side sheets and top closure sheets, "and is stitched therethrough. The pairs of sheets 16011- taining the various insulatingpads may the .inpdividually stitched together prior .to application of the head .to facilitate manipulation in the assembly process. In any case, the interfaces be.- tween sheets atrthe periphery surrounded by. bottom beadll should be cemented or otherwise rendered liquideproof, so as toprevent communicationofliquid to the insulationin thewalls.

- A carryingstrap 13 is secured at the terminal ends of the slide-fastener 61in any convenient manner, preferably by underlying the head 12 and beingxstitched in place therewith.

li'he form of Figs. 18 to 20 is collapsible'in-a straight axial direction,withrandom folding of in storing in cramped spaces enhanced. The strap, in this form, is turned over to engage the bottom for. holding the container in collapsed condition, and will, conveniently, be of a length suitable for this purpose. However, length-adjusting means may be provided on the strap, if desired. 7

Whereas containers of circular girth have been shown in each case, they may partake of other forms while retaining the important properties of lightness and a flexibility adapted for collapse of the container. The general form may be adapted for a preferred use, as, for instance, in case of the carrying of refrigerated fish, an oblong crosssection, elliptical for instance, would be desirable to achieve maximum storage.

The bottom, especially, of the container may be widely varied. Rigidity in this portion being, in fact, desirable, the bottom part may be constructed along the lines of those of prior art, rigid containers. 1

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown, the invention is not limited thereby, since changes in the size, shape and arrangement, for instance, of the various parts may bemade without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended .claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A thermally insulating container comprising a bottom section, a side wall and a top section, each having inner and outer'envelopes and a liner of heat-insulating material between said envelopes, the envelopes and liner of said side wall section, at least, consisting of pliable material whereby the top section is movable bodily toward the :bottom section by deformation of said side wall section, and a carrying handle attached to the upper'portion of said container, said handle comprising a main flexible strap with an auxiliary piece having a hook on its free end adapted to be passedaround the said bottom section in col-' lapsed condition of the container and the hook engaged in a loop in the main strap, whereby to retain the container in collapsed condition.

2. A thermally insulating container comprising a bottom section, a side wall and a top section, each having inner and outer envelopes and a liner of heat-insulating material between said envelopes, the envelopes andliner of said side wall section, at least, consisting of pliable material whereby the top section is movable bodily toward the bottom section by deformation of said side wall section, and a carrying handle attached to the upper portion of said container, said handle comprising a main, flexible strap with anauxiliary piece extending therefrom and'iastening means on the said auxiliary piece, the latter being engageable around the said bottom section in collapsed condition 'of the container and attachable to said main strap, .wherebyf to retain the container in collapsed condition.

3. A thermally insulating container comprising a bottom section and a side wall, each having inher and outer envelopes and a liner of heat-insulating material between said envelopes, the said side wall consisting of foldable material whereby to be movable bodily toward said bottom section, a, form-retaining ring attached at the perimeter of said bottom section, and a form-retaining ring attached to the perimeter the top thereof.

4; A thermally insulating container comprising a bottom section and a side wall, each having inner and outer envelopes and a liner of heat-insulating material between said envelopes, the said side wall consisting of foldable material whereby to be movable bodily toward said bottom section, a form-retaining ring attached at the perimeter of said bottom section, and a form-retaining ring attached to the perimeter of said wall section near the top thereof, the enclosed areas of said rings being each greater than the cross-sectional area enclosed by said wall section, whereby torsional deformation of the wall sections is facilitated. V g

5. The method of making a double-walled, thermally insulated, flexible container which comprises, forming a tube from a flat sheet, attaching a cup-shaped closure at one end of the tube, turning the tube inside out, placing insulating material inside the tube on the said closure and adjacent the walls of the tube to a height medially thereof, attaching a closure to the open end of the tube and turning the thus closed end of the tube into the portion containing the insulating material.

6. The method of making a double-walled, thermally insulated, flexible container which of said wall section near comprises, forming a tube from a fiat sheet by stitching, attaching a cup-shaped closure at one end of the tube by stitching, turning the tube inside out, placing a first ring in said tube adjacent said closure, placing insulating material inside said tube on the said closure and adjacent the walls of the tube to a height medially thereof, placing a second ring in proximity to the top of the insulating material adjacent the said walls, attaching a closure to the open end of the tube by stitching, and turning the thus closed end of the tube into the portion containing the insulating material.

7. In the method of claim 6, the step of confining the said first ring by stitching through the wall of the tube and the base;

8. In the method of claim 6, the step of confining the said second ring which comprises stitching together adjacent walls of said tube beneath said ring, and stitching the said insulating material to said walls in the vicinity of said second ring.

NORMAN R. SEAMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in'the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 463,597 Cussen Nov. 17, 1891 1,096,537 Humphreys May 12, 1914 1,431,918 Arthur Oct. 17, 1922 1,691,905 Gamble Nov. 13, 1928 1,895,278 Crawford Jan. 24, 1933 1,949,677 Crawford Mar. 6, 1934 2,087,611 Wells, Jr.', et a1 July 20, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 813,600 France Mar. 1, 1937 

